The Impact of Learning

We live in a world of non-stop technology.  Click, touch, and go, repeat.  But what happened to actually learning material.  Applying it to various situations, and coming out better, for the ability to truly learn?  While we are getting smarter, we are still staying behind the curve.

In today’s day and age, we overlook the fact that applied knowledge is what is missing in our society. Books are replaced with audio readers, a pen to paper is replace with Seri, and no with Alexa, you can lay in bed and ask for almost anything imaginable.

Learning is so important, but it goes far beyond the technical side of life.  It should touch the essence of everyone to bring about growth and change and a new way of thinking about life. 

The more we rely on technology, the easier it becomes to replace humans. * Rant over*

I was never much for school, and even less for the notion of learning.  Fast forward 20 years, and now in a doctoral program, I am learning all that I can, so I can share the information; specifically, how to communicate.  In a world where communication is becoming a lost art, I’ve learned that the ability to effectively talk to people to express a feeling or thought is like music to my ears.  The impact of learning on my life has completely shaken my roots to the core and helped me develop a solid path in academia.  My goal is to attain the highest honor in learning; which is to teach others this lost language of communication. 

Finding Time

How big is your to do list?  How about your 'personal' to do list.  You know the one that is all about you?  The very one that you say you'd like to accomplish something but never get around to it?  How important is it for you to reach those small personal goals one task at a time?

We all have things that we would like to do in life, but sometimes in the midst of everyday living, what we want to do actually takes a back seat to satisfy what needs to be done right now.  And more times than not, what needs done now is for someone other than yourself.

This can cause us to lose sight and focus of what we originally wanted and needed to do for self in order to feel complete for that moment.

I suggest to you to find some selfish time.  Think of it as time to regroup, re-energize and refocus yourself so that you can be more for those around you.

Start off by taking 15-30 minutes every day to find peace and clarity through meditation, prayer, or journaling.  Choose a time that you can commit to yourself with no interruptions.  This could be at the start of your day, before bedtime, or anytime in between.  What matters most is that you devote time to yourself and enjoy being good to you during that time.

What you will find is that by taking time to get back to you, you will be more equipped (mentally) to deal with those around you.
Try it!  Email me and let me know what works best for you!

The RLS Method

Going on an interview?  The RLS Method is a great tool to have in your toolbox!  This is something that I created for use when teaching Career Development courses to all ages!  For more in-depth information please email me at: Lisa@LCRay214.com

Research

·       Use Social Media to help you do your homework.  (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter)

·       Does the company have a website?  If they do, read over and get to know the company.

·       Do you know what the position that you are applying for entails?

o   Can you easily learn those duties if you are not familiar with them?

o   Are you qualified through school, training or previous work experience?

o   Can you get further education/experience to qualify you for this position?

Language

How you present yourself is everything not just in the interview, but when you first walk in as well as when you’re leaving.  REMEMBER:  How you come across over the phone counts too!

·       What type of language are you using? While we all speak “differently” when in various situations, you never want to go into an interview and talk to the interviewer the same way you would with your personal friends.

o   Cussing, loud, and obnoxious tones is definitely an no-no

o   Sharing your personal business or problems is never a good idea.

·       

      Do you know the language of the profession/business you are trying to get into?

o   Are there technical terms that you should be familiar with?

·       

     Your body language (non-verbal communication) is just as important as what you say.  It is the visual trademark impression that you leave with a possible employer.

o   Are you neat and clean

o   Did you take the time to visually prepare for the interview?

Sell:

The overall goal here is to show the interviewer who you are as well as what type of employee would will be for the company.  Two main points are:  Selling yourself in a personal sense, as well as selling you – the business person.

·                           Personally:

o   Who are you as an individual?

o   Are you positive in nature or are you negative?

o   Do you speak negatively about previous employers, or do you focus on what was “right” with the company and your co-workers.

o   Will you bring your home life (issues) to the workplace?

·                       Professionally:         

o   What skills do you bring to the table that will enhance this company’s bottom line?

o What have you done (work-wise) in the industry that will contribute to what you will do for this company?

These are some brief things that you can incorporate into you career development training. 

For more information - email me at:  Lisa@lcray214.com

Have a Phone Interview? Here's How To Ace It!

You have spent a large amount of time applying for jobs and creating networks, so it's very realistic that at any moment, you could get a recruiter calling you to do a phone interview. Are you ready?

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

If you can, find a quiet place so that you can talk without background noise and interference.

If you are unable to find a quiet place,  you can:

1. Answer the phone and ask if you could schedule for another time more convenient. Suggest times, and be sure to be available at that time.
2. Let your voice mail get the call.  If you choose this option, make sure your voice is clear and the message is free from background noise, music and especially profanity.  You are still selling yourself, and your voice mail represents you more than you think.

WHY it matters? 

There is nothing worse than talking to someone when all you can hear is background, distracting noise.  It takes the emphasis off of what you're saying and is just unprofessional.  

You are in a quiet area free from background noise and interruption.  What's next?

When you answer the phone, clearly say hello, and state your name.
  "Hello, this is JANE DOE."  avoid "Hi", "What's Up?", "Speak!" etc

WHY it matters?
If you are applying for a job where you will be talking on the phone or dealing with customers, this gives the potential employer a chance to see how you sound (clarity and intonation). This becomes part of your selling pitch.

You have a potential employer on the phone. You've answered and are ready to begin the phone interview process.

Some quick Do's and Don'ts:

Don't eat, drink, smoke or chew - all of these have the ability to distort what you're saying to the point that you are not easily understood.  You could also choke.

Do pronounce your words and speak slower than you normally would.

Do smile (yes, even on the phone). It actually comes through when you're speaking. Smiling has the tendency to put us in a good mood and it can change the tone in your voice.

Don't multitask.  Right now is the time to focus on the phone interview and nothing else. Give your complete attention to the call at hand, it could be your next job.

Do keep a copy of your updated resume with you. On the back, list accomplishments and quick notes. It's a great reference tool during a phone interview.

Do ask questions and take notes.

Don't interrupt the interviewer or become argumentative.

At the end of the interview, ask what the next step of the hiring process is and if there is any further information you can provide.

REMEMBER:
Finding a job sometimes can be a job in itself.  A phone interview can be a part of that process. Knowing how to get through the interview can line you up for the next step (face-to-face), get you the job, or leave you asking what you did wrong, and why weren't you hired.

The most important factor is you.  Practice your phone skills the same as if you were doing face-to-face interviews so you are both comfortable and confident when your number is called.

Good luck!

Looking For a Job? Ready, Set, Action

So you "think" you're ready to find a job.  You've pumped yourself up for the interview as this is a no-brainer and you are more than qualified for the job. Yesterday you felt prepared, but today, something just doesn't feel quite right? So you brush it off thinking "it's all in my mind".

You open the door of the interviewers office and immediately freeze! What happened?  What changed?  You decide it's too late to turn and run, your mind isn't working as you want it too, in a moments thought you realize you're not really ready (or want) to work.

A lot of times, the fear of succeeding can take over leaving the subconscious mind to choose between deeply rooted emotions and logic.  When this happens, emotions usually win leaving the mind to figure out how to get out of the situation.  What comes next is called, self-sabotage. For every question the interviewer gives, your responses are short with no detail. You've lost the ability to focus and effectively communicate how you've gained the skills needed to perform this job.  What's worse, you've lost the ability to sell you!  So sitting in an office where you feel you don't belong, you try your hardest to just get it over with so you can go back to your comfort zone of the couch, Jerry Springer and soggy cereal.

For any employer to hire you, first you need to believe in yourself and the skills that you have accumulated over your working career.  You then need to learn how to sell that product (which is you).

Where do you start?  First you need to figure out who you are, and how your skills should be marketed to best sell you for any job.  Bottom line, why should someone take a chance in hiring you rather than someone else?  If you find some of your hard skills are lacking, find a free class, go to the library or dust off your computer and work on making your skills a great selling point for you.  If it's your soft skills that need a touch-up, try an etiquette (manor) class.

Regardless of what skills you need to improve on, whether it's minor adjustments or a major overhaul, stay positive on your quest and find others who will encourage you.

Good luck!